1994 Citroen AX Forte 1.1i

Summary:

Wow!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

What a superb small car... amazing economy (averaged 62mpg on a recent touring holiday in Cornwall which included a round trip of 600 miles from home) and impressive performance, nice and comfortable and well equipped too. It's cost me next to nothing to run for 4 years, never let me down, starts first time, every time, and actually looks quite good too!

My wife loves it, and it will be very hard to find a suitable replacement. Only negative factor is the relatively light-weight bodywork, which does pick up dents and scratches quite easily, otherwise, a terrific car which we have used a lot, and value highly.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th September, 2000

1994 Citroen AX Echo 1.1i

Summary:

A competent little hatch, but suspect reliability and woeful handling

Faults:

Not much actually:

Brake discs were replaced 3 times in 12 months.

A few dash lights went, mainly due to poor quality wiring loom and connectors.

General Comments:

It was my first new(ish) car and I was pleased with it at the time I bought it.

Nothing major went wrong in the 12 months I owned it, it started first time every time, and it got me from A to B in a reasonable amount of comfort and time.

With the rear seats removed it also came in handy for shifting things like fridges, washing machines, like a mini estate really, but oh how I whinged about its whining little hairdryer under the bonnet, its lack of power, its tinny bodywork, its dodgy workmanship and its plastiky interior.

But worst of all is its handling, DON'T LET ANYBODY TELL YOU THAT THIS CAR HANDLES WELL, it will swap ends just like that, and did on many occasions. Corners that could be taken flat at 80mph in the old Jetta could only be tackled at around 40mph in the AX PATHETIC.

I got shot of the car after only 12 months and with 3 years finance left to pay, that's how desperately I wanted to be rid of it in the end.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th September, 2000

17th Jun 2007, 13:16

I'm not surprised that you got through brake-disks at a high rate, and bad handling if you carted washing machines around in it!

OK, handling isn't brilliant in the first place, but the echo at least isn't set-up as a sports car, it has no anti-roll bar in the rear suspension for example. With a washing machine in the back, I will bet it wallows like a drunken hippo!

It's designed as an inexpensive everyday runabout, and as such they are brilliant.

1994 Citroen AX Echo 1.4 diesel

Faults:

Head gasket at 47,000.

Speedo cable at 65,000.

Otherwise only the normal service does.

General Comments:

Super car for running about town - very economical and easy to drive, light and willing. Performance is very respectable, sometimes surprising but quirky and fun.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th March, 1999

1994 Citroen AX Jive 1.0 petrol

Faults:

Cylinder head gasket, timing belt and alternator belt all replaced. 4th complete set of front shock absorbers in 3 years. Headlamp and dash bulbs blow regularly.

General Comments:

Great fun to drive but it's quite slow when three or more people are in it. Some parts can be expensive but just don't buy from the main dealer. Tyres are expensive and hard to find. 220 miles on just £10 of unleaded makes up for some expensive parts. Starts every time even from under thick snow. Buy one now!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th November, 1998

24th Jun 2006, 11:57

Unusual that you say that tyres were expensive and hard to find - I had no problems whatsoever getting tyres for my AX during the ten years I owned it, and from a wide variety of fast-fit outlets. Average cost was £35 per tyre incl. balancing etc (Continental brand).

Did have problems with dashboard lamps blowing quite frequently as it's a pig of a job to replace them - especially getting the speedometer cable back on once the instrument panel is back in position.